EP3646412B1 - Electrical connector with terminal alignment plate and secondary lock detection, and method of mating - Google Patents
Electrical connector with terminal alignment plate and secondary lock detection, and method of mating Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- EP3646412B1 EP3646412B1 EP18746294.0A EP18746294A EP3646412B1 EP 3646412 B1 EP3646412 B1 EP 3646412B1 EP 18746294 A EP18746294 A EP 18746294A EP 3646412 B1 EP3646412 B1 EP 3646412B1
- Authority
- EP
- European Patent Office
- Prior art keywords
- terminal alignment
- alignment plate
- secondary lock
- terminal
- engagement surfaces
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Active
Links
- 230000013011 mating Effects 0.000 title claims description 60
- 238000000034 method Methods 0.000 title claims description 9
- 238000001514 detection method Methods 0.000 title description 4
- 238000003780 insertion Methods 0.000 claims description 9
- 230000037431 insertion Effects 0.000 claims description 9
- 239000000356 contaminant Substances 0.000 description 3
- 238000005452 bending Methods 0.000 description 2
- 230000009286 beneficial effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- 230000000295 complement effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- 239000000428 dust Substances 0.000 description 1
- 239000000523 sample Substances 0.000 description 1
- 230000035939 shock Effects 0.000 description 1
Images
Classifications
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- H—ELECTRICITY
- H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
- H01R—ELECTRICALLY-CONDUCTIVE CONNECTIONS; STRUCTURAL ASSOCIATIONS OF A PLURALITY OF MUTUALLY-INSULATED ELECTRICAL CONNECTING ELEMENTS; COUPLING DEVICES; CURRENT COLLECTORS
- H01R13/00—Details of coupling devices of the kinds covered by groups H01R12/70 or H01R24/00 - H01R33/00
- H01R13/44—Means for preventing access to live contacts
- H01R13/447—Shutter or cover plate
- H01R13/453—Shutter or cover plate opened by engagement of counterpart
- H01R13/4538—Covers sliding or withdrawing in the direction of engagement
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- H—ELECTRICITY
- H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
- H01R—ELECTRICALLY-CONDUCTIVE CONNECTIONS; STRUCTURAL ASSOCIATIONS OF A PLURALITY OF MUTUALLY-INSULATED ELECTRICAL CONNECTING ELEMENTS; COUPLING DEVICES; CURRENT COLLECTORS
- H01R13/00—Details of coupling devices of the kinds covered by groups H01R12/70 or H01R24/00 - H01R33/00
- H01R13/40—Securing contact members in or to a base or case; Insulating of contact members
- H01R13/42—Securing in a demountable manner
- H01R13/436—Securing a plurality of contact members by one locking piece or operation
- H01R13/4361—Insertion of locking piece perpendicular to direction of contact insertion
- H01R13/4362—Insertion of locking piece perpendicular to direction of contact insertion comprising a temporary and a final locking position
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- H—ELECTRICITY
- H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
- H01R—ELECTRICALLY-CONDUCTIVE CONNECTIONS; STRUCTURAL ASSOCIATIONS OF A PLURALITY OF MUTUALLY-INSULATED ELECTRICAL CONNECTING ELEMENTS; COUPLING DEVICES; CURRENT COLLECTORS
- H01R13/00—Details of coupling devices of the kinds covered by groups H01R12/70 or H01R24/00 - H01R33/00
- H01R13/46—Bases; Cases
- H01R13/502—Bases; Cases composed of different pieces
- H01R13/506—Bases; Cases composed of different pieces assembled by snap action of the parts
-
- H—ELECTRICITY
- H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
- H01R—ELECTRICALLY-CONDUCTIVE CONNECTIONS; STRUCTURAL ASSOCIATIONS OF A PLURALITY OF MUTUALLY-INSULATED ELECTRICAL CONNECTING ELEMENTS; COUPLING DEVICES; CURRENT COLLECTORS
- H01R13/00—Details of coupling devices of the kinds covered by groups H01R12/70 or H01R24/00 - H01R33/00
- H01R13/62—Means for facilitating engagement or disengagement of coupling parts or for holding them in engagement
- H01R13/629—Additional means for facilitating engagement or disengagement of coupling parts, e.g. aligning or guiding means, levers, gas pressure electrical locking indicators, manufacturing tolerances
- H01R13/631—Additional means for facilitating engagement or disengagement of coupling parts, e.g. aligning or guiding means, levers, gas pressure electrical locking indicators, manufacturing tolerances for engagement only
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- H—ELECTRICITY
- H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
- H01R—ELECTRICALLY-CONDUCTIVE CONNECTIONS; STRUCTURAL ASSOCIATIONS OF A PLURALITY OF MUTUALLY-INSULATED ELECTRICAL CONNECTING ELEMENTS; COUPLING DEVICES; CURRENT COLLECTORS
- H01R43/00—Apparatus or processes specially adapted for manufacturing, assembling, maintaining, or repairing of line connectors or current collectors or for joining electric conductors
- H01R43/18—Apparatus or processes specially adapted for manufacturing, assembling, maintaining, or repairing of line connectors or current collectors or for joining electric conductors for manufacturing bases or cases for contact members
Definitions
- the invention is directed to an electrical connector assembly with a terminal alignment plate and a secondary lock detection member.
- the invention is directed to an electrical connector assembly in which the alignment plate is prevented from moving to a final position when the secondary lock detection member is in a shipping position.
- the invention is also directed to a method of mating said connector.
- Electrical connectors may be used to transfer data and/or electrical power between different systems or devices. Electrical connectors are often designed to operate in challenging environments where contaminants, shock and/or vibration can disrupt the electrical connection. For example, automobiles and other machinery utilize electrical connectors to communicate data and/or electrical power therein. At least some known electrical connectors include a connector housing that has a cavity configured to receive another electrical connector (hereinafter referred to as a "mating connector"). The cavity opens to a front end of the connector housing and extends a depth into the connector housing.
- the electrical connector includes an array of electrical contacts, and the mating connector includes a complementary array of electrical contacts (hereinafter referred to as "mating contacts"). As the mating connector is received within the cavity, the electrical contacts are received within corresponding socket openings of the mating connector. Each socket opening may include one of the mating contacts that engages the corresponding electrical contact to establish an electrical connection.
- the connector housing partially surrounds the electrical contacts within the receiving cavity, the electrical contacts may be exposed to the ambient environment through the open front end. During shipping or handling of the electrical connectors, contaminants may enter the receiving cavity through the front end. In addition, the front end may permit objects to enter the receiving cavity and engage the electrical contacts thereby moving and/or bending the electrical contacts. If an electrical contact is not positioned properly within the receiving cavity, the electrical contact may improperly engage the mating connector, an incident referred to as stubbing, which can damage the electrical contact. In some cases, the damage may require the electrical contact or, potentially, the entire electrical connector to be replaced.
- the headers are provided with freestanding pins without any type of support surrounding the pins.
- alignment plates may be provided. Such alignment plates have a plurality of holes for receiving the terminal pin portions to maintain the alignment and spacing of the pin portions and prevent bending thereof or damage thereto.
- the alignment plates may be removed or remain in place before the connector is mated, or it has been known to provide an arrangement whereby the alignment plate moves from an outer protecting position, inwardly along the pin portions to an inner mating position, such as during insertion of the pin portions into holes in a printed circuit board.
- alignment plates can be effective, alignment plates can easily be moved during shipping from an initial position, in which the terminal pins are protected, to a final position, in which the terminal pins are not protected. It would, therefore, be beneficial to provide a terminal alignment plate which cannot be easily moved to a final position during shipping.
- the problem to be solved is to provide an electrical connector assembly in which the alignment plate is prevented from moving to a final position when a secondary lock detection member is in a shipping position.
- US 5,558,526 discloses a connector a contact aligning device that can move in the direction of joining connectors. The contact aligning device has locking devices that can move perpendicularly to the direction of joining the connectors.
- US 6,305,990 B1 discloses a cap connector with an alignment plate and two sliding secondary lock plates.
- the invention is an electrical connector assembly as defined in the appended claim 1 and a method as defined in claim 7.
- a header assembly 10 includes a housing 12, a pin or terminal alignment member or plate 14 and a movable member, such as a secondary lock member 16.
- Contacts or terminals 20 are provided in the housing.
- the contacts or terminals 20 may be pin contacts, tabs or other known types of contacts.
- the housing 12 generally includes a terminal receiving portion 22 with a shroud 24 extending therefrom.
- the shroud 24 has end walls 30 and side walls 32.
- the housing 12 further includes a lower flange portion 34, which circumscribes the housing 12.
- the terminal receiving portion 22 has alignment plate receiving recesses 40 which extend through at least a portion of the terminal receiving portion 22.
- Terminal receiving openings 42 ( FIGS. 3 and 4 ) also extend through the terminal receiving portion 22. It should be appreciated that the terminal receiving openings 42 are profiled according to the particular contacts or terminals 20 positioned in the housing 12.
- the independent secondary locking member 16 is positioned proximate the terminal receiving portion 22.
- the independent secondary lock 16 helps to ensure the terminals remain properly positioned within the housing.
- the independent secondary lock member 16 also cooperates with the primary lock (not shown) to prevent withdrawal of the terminals from the connector.
- the independent secondary lock member 16 includes a planar member 44 which extends across a bottom surface of the terminal receiving portion 22.
- a projection or rib 46 extends upward from the terminal receiving portion 22 toward the shroud 24.
- the projection or rib 46 extends into a cavity 48 in the terminal receiving portion 22.
- the rib 46 has one or more terminal alignment plates or terminal alignment member engagement surfaces 50.
- the terminal alignment plates or member engagement surfaces 50 extend at an angle relative to the longitudinal axis of the rib 46.
- other configurations of the terminal alignment plates or member engagement surfaces 50 may be used.
- An engagement projection 52 (such as, but not limited to a rib or tower) extends upward from the terminal receiving portion 22 toward the shroud 24.
- the engagement projection 52 extends through an opening 54 in the terminal receiving portion 22, such that a free end of the engagement projection 52 is positioned above a top surface of the terminal receiving portion 22.
- the alignment plate 14 includes a plate portion 60 with a plurality of terminal receiving openings 62 extending therethrough.
- Projections or walls 64 extend from the terminal receiving portion 22.
- Each wall 64 has an upwardly extending portions 66 which extends in a direction toward a mating end 68 of the terminals 20.
- Each wall 64 also has an oppositely or downwardly extending portion 68 which extends towards and cooperates with the recesses 40 of the terminal receiving portion 22.
- a projection receiving opening 67 is provided in the plate portion 60.
- the downwardly extending portion 68 has one or more secondary lock engagement surfaces 70.
- the secondary lock engagement surfaces 70 extend at approximately a 90 degree angle relative to the longitudinal axis of the rib 46.
- other configurations of the secondary lock engagement surfaces 70 may be used.
- the downwardly extending portion 68 has one or more recesses or slots 72 which cooperate with projections 74 of the terminal receiving portion 22 which extend into the alignment plate receiving recesses 40.
- the upwardly extending portion 66 has one or more mating connector engagement surfaces 80.
- the mating connector engagement surfaces 80 extend approximately parallel to the secondary lock engagement surfaces 70.
- other configurations of the mating connector engagement surfaces 80 may be used.
- the downwardly extending portion 68 has on or more recesses or slots 82 which cooperate with projections 84 of the mating connector 18.
- the mating connector 18 has a projection or rib 90 which extends from the mating face.
- the rib 90 has one or more terminal alignment plates or terminal alignment member engagement surfaces 92.
- the terminal alignment plates or member engagement surfaces 92 extend at an angle relative to the longitudinal axis of the rib 90.
- other configurations of the terminal alignment plates or member engagement surfaces 92 may be used.
- the terminal alignment member 14 is shown in a first, protecting, pre-stage or shipping position.
- the plate portion 60 of the terminal alignment member 14 is positioned proximate the mating or distal ends 68 of the terminals 20.
- Portions of the downwardly extending portions 68 of the walls 64 of the terminal alignment member 14, including the secondary lock engagement surfaces 70, are positioned in the alignment plate receiving recesses 40 of the terminal receiving portion 22 of the housing 12.
- the slots 72 of the downwardly extending portions 68 cooperate with the projections 74 to maintain the terminal alignment member 14 in a stable position relative to the housing 12.
- the independent secondary lock member or movable member 16 is also positioned in an open or first position. In this position, the terminal alignment plates or terminal alignment member engagement surfaces 50 are positioned in the alignment plate receiving recesses 40.
- the terminal alignment plates or terminal alignment member engagement surfaces 50 are positioned in-line and in engagement with the secondary lock engagement surfaces 70 to prevent the movement of the terminal alignment member 14 from the first, protecting, pre-stage or shipping position to a second or fully inserted position.
- the alignment plate 14 In the first or protecting position, the alignment plate 14 is spaced from the terminal receiving portion 22 of the housing 12. This allows the alignment plate 14 to be positioned nearer to the free or mating ends 68 of the terminals 20 to provide structural support to the terminals 20 proximate their free or mating ends while still allowing a probe to access the terminals 20. In so doing, the alignment plate 14 provides protection to the free ends of the terminals 20, preventing the terminals 20 from being deformed or damaged prior to the insertion of the mating connector 18 into the shroud 24 of the housing 12. For example, the alignment plate 14 may shield the terminals 20 from objects that inadvertently enter the shroud 24.
- the alignment plate 14 may align and/or hold the terminals 20 in designated positions to reduce the likelihood of stubbing during the mating operation.
- the alignment plate 14 may be configured to function as a cover that reduces the likelihood of contaminants (e.g., dust) entering the shroud 24.
- the terminal alignment member 14 remains in the first, protecting, pre-stage or shipping position.
- the independent secondary lock member or movable member 16 is moved to a second or closed position in which the independent secondary lock member 16 engages the primary lock (not shown) and facilitates the securing of the terminals 20 in the housing 12.
- the independent secondary lock member 16 cannot be fully moved to the second or closed position unless the terminals 20 are properly seated in the terminal receiving portion 22 of the housing 12.
- the independent secondary lock member or movable member 16 is moved from the first or open position to the second or closed position by movement of the projection 52. As the projection 52 extends beyond the terminal receiving portion 22 and the plate portion 60 of the terminal alignment member 14, an operator can engage and move the projection 52 and the independent secondary lock member or movable member 16 from the first or open position to the second or closed position.
- the terminal alignment plates or terminal alignment member engagement surfaces 50 is moved from the alignment plate receiving recesses 40. Consequently, the terminal alignment plates or terminal alignment member engagement surfaces 50 are no longer positioned in-line and or in engagement with the secondary lock engagement surfaces 70, allowing the movement of the terminal alignment member 14 from the first, protecting, pre-stage or shipping position to the second or fully inserted position, as shown in FIG. 5 .
- the movement of the terminal alignment member 14 from the first, protecting, pre-stage or shipping position to the second or fully inserted position is facilitated by the mating of the mating connector 18 with the connector assembly 10, as shown in FIG. 6 and 7 .
- the terminal alignment plates or terminal alignment member engagement surfaces 92 of the mating connector 18 are positioned in-line and in engagement with the mating connector engagement surfaces 80 of the terminal alignment member 14 to prevent the proper insertion of the mating connector 18 into the shroud 24 of the housing 12.
- the terminal alignment plates or terminal alignment member engagement surfaces 92 of the mating connector 18 is moved to a position in which the terminal alignment plates or terminal alignment member engagement surfaces 92 are no longer positioned in-line and or in engagement with the mating connector engagement surfaces 80, allowing the proper insertion of the mating connector 18 into the shroud 24 of the housing 12.
- the method of mating an electrical connector assembly 10 to a mating connector 18 includes: positioning the independent secondary locking member 16 in a first position; positioning the terminal alignment member 14 in a protecting position in which the secondary lock engagement surfaces 70 of the terminal alignment member 14 engage the terminal alignment plate engagement surfaces 50 of the independent secondary lock member 16, wherein the terminal alignment member 14 is prevented from being moved from the protecting position to a fully inserted position; positioning the mating connector 18 in line with the connector assembly 10; and preventing the insertion of the mating connector 18 into the connector assembly 10 when the mating connector 18 is not in condition for mating, wherein mating connector engaging surfaces 80 of the terminal alignment member 14 engage a portion of a mating connector 18 to prevent the insertion of the mating connector 18 into the electrical connector assembly 10; moving the independent secondary locking member 16 to a second position in which the terminal alignment plate engagement surfaces 50 of the independent secondary lock member 16 do not engage the secondary lock engagement surfaces 70 of the terminal alignment member 14, allowing the terminal alignment member to be moved from the protecting position; and moving the terminal alignment member 14 to
- the method may additionally include engaging a projection 52 of the independent secondary locking member 16 which extends through the terminal alignment member 14 to move the independent secondary locking member 16 from the first position to the second position.
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- Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Manufacturing & Machinery (AREA)
- Details Of Connecting Devices For Male And Female Coupling (AREA)
- Connector Housings Or Holding Contact Members (AREA)
Description
- The invention is directed to an electrical connector assembly with a terminal alignment plate and a secondary lock detection member. In particular, the invention is directed to an electrical connector assembly in which the alignment plate is prevented from moving to a final position when the secondary lock detection member is in a shipping position. The invention is also directed to a method of mating said connector.
- Electrical connectors may be used to transfer data and/or electrical power between different systems or devices. Electrical connectors are often designed to operate in challenging environments where contaminants, shock and/or vibration can disrupt the electrical connection. For example, automobiles and other machinery utilize electrical connectors to communicate data and/or electrical power therein. At least some known electrical connectors include a connector housing that has a cavity configured to receive another electrical connector (hereinafter referred to as a "mating connector"). The cavity opens to a front end of the connector housing and extends a depth into the connector housing. The electrical connector includes an array of electrical contacts, and the mating connector includes a complementary array of electrical contacts (hereinafter referred to as "mating contacts"). As the mating connector is received within the cavity, the electrical contacts are received within corresponding socket openings of the mating connector. Each socket opening may include one of the mating contacts that engages the corresponding electrical contact to establish an electrical connection.
- Many times harnesses must be assembled and/or preassembled, where one part of the connector is not mated with the corresponding connector until sometime further in the overall assembly process. Thus, this requires a great deal of care for socket connectors of the type having a header and a plurality of upstanding tabs and/or pins.
- Although the connector housing partially surrounds the electrical contacts within the receiving cavity, the electrical contacts may be exposed to the ambient environment through the open front end. During shipping or handling of the electrical connectors, contaminants may enter the receiving cavity through the front end. In addition, the front end may permit objects to enter the receiving cavity and engage the electrical contacts thereby moving and/or bending the electrical contacts. If an electrical contact is not positioned properly within the receiving cavity, the electrical contact may improperly engage the mating connector, an incident referred to as stubbing, which can damage the electrical contact. In some cases, the damage may require the electrical contact or, potentially, the entire electrical connector to be replaced.
- In some connection systems, the headers are provided with freestanding pins without any type of support surrounding the pins. In other connection systems, alignment plates may be provided. Such alignment plates have a plurality of holes for receiving the terminal pin portions to maintain the alignment and spacing of the pin portions and prevent bending thereof or damage thereto. The alignment plates may be removed or remain in place before the connector is mated, or it has been known to provide an arrangement whereby the alignment plate moves from an outer protecting position, inwardly along the pin portions to an inner mating position, such as during insertion of the pin portions into holes in a printed circuit board.
- Although alignment plates can be effective, alignment plates can easily be moved during shipping from an initial position, in which the terminal pins are protected, to a final position, in which the terminal pins are not protected. It would, therefore, be beneficial to provide a terminal alignment plate which cannot be easily moved to a final position during shipping. The problem to be solved is to provide an electrical connector assembly in which the alignment plate is prevented from moving to a final position when a secondary lock detection member is in a shipping position.
US 5,558,526 discloses a connector a contact aligning device that can move in the direction of joining connectors. The contact aligning device has locking devices that can move perpendicularly to the direction of joining the connectors.US 6,305,990 B1 discloses a cap connector with an alignment plate and two sliding secondary lock plates. - The invention is an electrical connector assembly as defined in the appended claim 1 and a method as defined in claim 7.
- The invention will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:
-
FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an illustrative electrical connector header assembly of the present invention, with a terminal alignment plate shown in shipping position. -
FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the header ofFIG. 1 , with the terminal alignment plate exploded therefrom. -
FIG. 3 is a perspective cross-sectional view of the header assembly ofFIG. 1 taken along line 3-3 ofFIG. 1 , the terminal alignment plate and an independent secondary lock member are shown in a first or shipping position. -
FIG. 4 is a perspective cross-sectional view of the header assembly similar toFIG. 3 , except the independent secondary lock member is shown in a second or locked position, the terminal alignment plate remains in the first or shipping position. -
FIG. 5 is a perspective cross-sectional view of the header assembly similar toFIG. 3 , except the terminal alignment plate is shown in a second or fully inserted position and the independent secondary lock member is shown in a second or locked position. -
FIG. 6 is a perspective cross-sectional view of the header assembly ofFIG. 1 with a mating connector positioned proximate the header assembly, the terminal alignment plate of the header assembly and the independent secondary lock member of the header assembly are shown in a first or shipping position, an independent secondary lock member of the mating connector is shown in a first position. -
FIG. 7 is a perspective cross-sectional view of the header assembly ofFIG. 1 with the mating connector fully mated to the header assembly, the terminal alignment plate of the header assembly is shown in a second or fully inserted position, the independent secondary lock member of the header assembly is shown in a second or locked position, and the independent secondary lock member of the mating connector is shown in a second or locked position. - As best shown in
FIGS. 3 through 5 , aheader assembly 10 includes ahousing 12, a pin or terminal alignment member orplate 14 and a movable member, such as asecondary lock member 16. Contacts orterminals 20 are provided in the housing. The contacts orterminals 20 may be pin contacts, tabs or other known types of contacts. - The
housing 12 generally includes aterminal receiving portion 22 with ashroud 24 extending therefrom. Theshroud 24 hasend walls 30 andside walls 32. Thehousing 12 further includes alower flange portion 34, which circumscribes thehousing 12. - As best shown in
FIGS. 1 through 5 , theterminal receiving portion 22 has alignment plate receiving recesses 40 which extend through at least a portion of theterminal receiving portion 22. Terminal receiving openings 42 (FIGS. 3 and4 ) also extend through theterminal receiving portion 22. It should be appreciated that theterminal receiving openings 42 are profiled according to the particular contacts orterminals 20 positioned in thehousing 12. - The independent secondary locking
member 16 is positioned proximate theterminal receiving portion 22. The independentsecondary lock 16 helps to ensure the terminals remain properly positioned within the housing. The independentsecondary lock member 16 also cooperates with the primary lock (not shown) to prevent withdrawal of the terminals from the connector. In the illustrative embodiment shown, the independentsecondary lock member 16 includes aplanar member 44 which extends across a bottom surface of theterminal receiving portion 22. A projection orrib 46 extends upward from theterminal receiving portion 22 toward theshroud 24. The projection orrib 46 extends into acavity 48 in theterminal receiving portion 22. Therib 46 has one or more terminal alignment plates or terminal alignment member engagement surfaces 50. In the embodiment shown, the terminal alignment plates or member engagement surfaces 50 extend at an angle relative to the longitudinal axis of therib 46. However, other configurations of the terminal alignment plates or member engagement surfaces 50 may be used. - An engagement projection 52 (such as, but not limited to a rib or tower) extends upward from the
terminal receiving portion 22 toward theshroud 24. Theengagement projection 52 extends through anopening 54 in theterminal receiving portion 22, such that a free end of theengagement projection 52 is positioned above a top surface of theterminal receiving portion 22. - As best shown in
FIG. 2 , thealignment plate 14 includes aplate portion 60 with a plurality of terminal receivingopenings 62 extending therethrough. Projections orwalls 64 extend from theterminal receiving portion 22. Eachwall 64 has an upwardly extendingportions 66 which extends in a direction toward amating end 68 of theterminals 20. Eachwall 64 also has an oppositely or downwardly extendingportion 68 which extends towards and cooperates with therecesses 40 of theterminal receiving portion 22. Aprojection receiving opening 67 is provided in theplate portion 60. - The downwardly extending
portion 68 has one or more secondary lock engagement surfaces 70. In the embodiment shown, the secondary lock engagement surfaces 70 extend at approximately a 90 degree angle relative to the longitudinal axis of therib 46. However, other configurations of the secondarylock engagement surfaces 70 may be used. The downwardly extendingportion 68 has one or more recesses orslots 72 which cooperate withprojections 74 of theterminal receiving portion 22 which extend into the alignment plate receiving recesses 40. - The upwardly extending
portion 66 has one or more mating connector engagement surfaces 80. In the embodiment shown, the mating connector engagement surfaces 80 extend approximately parallel to the secondary lock engagement surfaces 70. However, other configurations of the mating connector engagement surfaces 80 may be used. The downwardly extendingportion 68 has on or more recesses orslots 82 which cooperate with projections 84 of themating connector 18. - As best shown in
FIGS. 6 and7 , themating connector 18 has a projection orrib 90 which extends from the mating face. Therib 90 has one or more terminal alignment plates or terminal alignment member engagement surfaces 92. In the embodiment shown, the terminal alignment plates or member engagement surfaces 92 extend at an angle relative to the longitudinal axis of therib 90. However, other configurations of the terminal alignment plates or member engagement surfaces 92 may be used. - Referring to
FIG. 3 , theterminal alignment member 14 is shown in a first, protecting, pre-stage or shipping position. In this position, theplate portion 60 of theterminal alignment member 14 is positioned proximate the mating or distal ends 68 of theterminals 20. Portions of the downwardly extendingportions 68 of thewalls 64 of theterminal alignment member 14, including the secondary lock engagement surfaces 70, are positioned in the alignment plate receiving recesses 40 of theterminal receiving portion 22 of thehousing 12. Theslots 72 of the downwardly extendingportions 68 cooperate with theprojections 74 to maintain theterminal alignment member 14 in a stable position relative to thehousing 12. - In the position shown in
FIG. 3 , the independent secondary lock member ormovable member 16 is also positioned in an open or first position. In this position, the terminal alignment plates or terminal alignment member engagement surfaces 50 are positioned in the alignment plate receiving recesses 40. - In the position shown in
FIG. 3 , the terminal alignment plates or terminal alignment member engagement surfaces 50 are positioned in-line and in engagement with the secondary lock engagement surfaces 70 to prevent the movement of theterminal alignment member 14 from the first, protecting, pre-stage or shipping position to a second or fully inserted position. - In the first or protecting position, the
alignment plate 14 is spaced from theterminal receiving portion 22 of thehousing 12. This allows thealignment plate 14 to be positioned nearer to the free or mating ends 68 of theterminals 20 to provide structural support to theterminals 20 proximate their free or mating ends while still allowing a probe to access theterminals 20. In so doing, thealignment plate 14 provides protection to the free ends of theterminals 20, preventing theterminals 20 from being deformed or damaged prior to the insertion of themating connector 18 into theshroud 24 of thehousing 12. For example, thealignment plate 14 may shield theterminals 20 from objects that inadvertently enter theshroud 24. In some embodiments, thealignment plate 14 may align and/or hold theterminals 20 in designated positions to reduce the likelihood of stubbing during the mating operation. Optionally, thealignment plate 14 may be configured to function as a cover that reduces the likelihood of contaminants (e.g., dust) entering theshroud 24. - Referring to
FIG. 4 , theterminal alignment member 14 remains in the first, protecting, pre-stage or shipping position. However, the independent secondary lock member ormovable member 16 is moved to a second or closed position in which the independentsecondary lock member 16 engages the primary lock (not shown) and facilitates the securing of theterminals 20 in thehousing 12. In various embodiments, the independentsecondary lock member 16 cannot be fully moved to the second or closed position unless theterminals 20 are properly seated in theterminal receiving portion 22 of thehousing 12. - The independent secondary lock member or
movable member 16 is moved from the first or open position to the second or closed position by movement of theprojection 52. As theprojection 52 extends beyond theterminal receiving portion 22 and theplate portion 60 of theterminal alignment member 14, an operator can engage and move theprojection 52 and the independent secondary lock member ormovable member 16 from the first or open position to the second or closed position. - In this position, the terminal alignment plates or terminal alignment member engagement surfaces 50 is moved from the alignment plate receiving recesses 40. Consequently, the terminal alignment plates or terminal alignment member engagement surfaces 50 are no longer positioned in-line and or in engagement with the secondary lock engagement surfaces 70, allowing the movement of the
terminal alignment member 14 from the first, protecting, pre-stage or shipping position to the second or fully inserted position, as shown inFIG. 5 . - The movement of the
terminal alignment member 14 from the first, protecting, pre-stage or shipping position to the second or fully inserted position is facilitated by the mating of themating connector 18 with theconnector assembly 10, as shown inFIG. 6 and7 . - In the position shown in
FIG. 6 , the terminal alignment plates or terminal alignment member engagement surfaces 92 of themating connector 18 are positioned in-line and in engagement with the mating connector engagement surfaces 80 of theterminal alignment member 14 to prevent the proper insertion of themating connector 18 into theshroud 24 of thehousing 12. - Referring to
FIG. 7 , the terminal alignment plates or terminal alignment member engagement surfaces 92 of themating connector 18 is moved to a position in which the terminal alignment plates or terminal alignment member engagement surfaces 92 are no longer positioned in-line and or in engagement with the mating connector engagement surfaces 80, allowing the proper insertion of themating connector 18 into theshroud 24 of thehousing 12. - As described herein, the method of mating an
electrical connector assembly 10 to amating connector 18 includes: positioning the independent secondary lockingmember 16 in a first position; positioning theterminal alignment member 14 in a protecting position in which the secondary lock engagement surfaces 70 of theterminal alignment member 14 engage the terminal alignment plate engagement surfaces 50 of the independentsecondary lock member 16, wherein theterminal alignment member 14 is prevented from being moved from the protecting position to a fully inserted position; positioning themating connector 18 in line with theconnector assembly 10; and preventing the insertion of themating connector 18 into theconnector assembly 10 when themating connector 18 is not in condition for mating, wherein matingconnector engaging surfaces 80 of theterminal alignment member 14 engage a portion of amating connector 18 to prevent the insertion of themating connector 18 into theelectrical connector assembly 10; moving the independent secondary lockingmember 16 to a second position in which the terminal alignment plate engagement surfaces 50 of the independentsecondary lock member 16 do not engage the secondary lock engagement surfaces 70 of theterminal alignment member 14, allowing the terminal alignment member to be moved from the protecting position; and moving theterminal alignment member 14 to a fully inserted position. - The method may additionally include engaging a
projection 52 of the independent secondary lockingmember 16 which extends through theterminal alignment member 14 to move the independent secondary lockingmember 16 from the first position to the second position.
Claims (8)
- An electrical connector assembly (10) comprising:a housing (12) having a plurality of terminals (20) mounted in the housing with mating portions projecting therefrom;a terminal alignment plate (14) having a plurality of terminal alignment plate apertures (62) for receiving the mating portions of the terminals, the terminal alignment plate having secondary lock engagement surfaces (70), the terminal alignment plate (14) being movably mounted on the housing (12) between a protecting position in which the terminal alignment plate (14) is positioned proximate distal ends of the terminals (20) and a fully inserted position in which the terminal alignment plate (14) is positioned away from the distal ends of the terminals (20);an independent secondary lock member (16), the independent secondary lock member having terminal alignment plate engagement surfaces (50), the independent secondary lock member (16) being movably mounted on the housing (12) between an open position and a closed position;wherein when the independent secondary lock member (16) is in the open position, the terminal alignment plate engagement surfaces (50) engage the secondary lock engagement surfaces (70) of the terminal alignment plate (14) to retain the terminal alignment plate in the protecting position and prevent the terminal alignment plate from being moved to the fully inserted position;wherein when the independent secondary lock member (16) is in the closed position, the terminal alignment plate engagement surfaces (50) do not engage the secondary lock engagement surfaces (70) of the terminal alignment plate, allowing the terminal alignment plate to be moved to the fully inserted position,wherein the terminal alignment plate (14) has walls (64) extending from the terminal alignment plate, characterised in that each wall has an upwardly extending portion (66) and a downwardly extending portion (68),the upwardly extending portions (66) have mating connector engaging surfaces (80), the mating connector engaging surfaces (80) configured to engage a portion (92) of a mating connector (18) to prevent the insertion of the mating connector into the electrical connector assembly when the mating connector is not in position for mating, andthe downwardly extending portions (68) have the secondary lock engagement surfaces (70), wherein the downwardly extending portions (68) are received in recesses (40) of a terminal receiving portion (22) of the housing.
- The electrical connector assembly as recited in claim 1, wherein the terminal alignment plate engagement surfaces (50) extend from the independent secondary lock member (16) and are positioned in the recesses (40) of the terminal receiving portion (22) of the housing.
- The electrical connector assembly as recited in claim 1, wherein the independent secondary lock member (16) has a projection (52) which extends through the terminal alignment plate (14) when in the protecting position, wherein the projection (52) is configured to allow the projection to be engaged when the terminal alignment plate (14) is in the protecting position to move the independent secondary lock member (16) from the open position to the closed position.
- The electrical connector assembly as recited in claim 1, wherein the walls (64) which extend from the terminal alignment plate (14) have slots (72) provided therein for receiving guiding projections (74) of the housing.
- The electrical connector assembly of claim 1, wherein the terminal alignment member engagement surfaces (50) are positioned in the recesses (40) of the housing when the independent secondary lock member (16) is in the open position, and the terminal alignment member engagement surfaces (50) are positioned outside of the recesses (40) of the housing when the independent secondary lock member is in the closed position.
- The electrical connector assembly as recited in claim 1, 4 or 5, wherein the walls (64) extend approximately perpendicular from the terminal alignment plate (14).
- A method of mating the electrical connector assembly of claim 1 to a mating connector, the method comprising:positioning the independent secondary lock member (16) in the open position;positioning the terminal alignment plate (14) in the protecting position in which the secondary lock engagement surfaces (70) of the terminal alignment plate (14) engage the terminal alignment plate engagement surfaces (50) of the independent secondary lock member (16), wherein the terminal alignment plate (14) is prevented from being moved from the protecting position to a fully inserted position;positioning the mating connector (18) in line with the connector assembly; preventing the insertion of the mating connector (18) into the connector assembly when the mating connector is not in position for mating, wherein the mating connector engaging surfaces (80) of the terminal alignment plate (14) engage the portion (92) of the mating connector to prevent the insertion of the mating connector into the connector assembly;moving the independent secondary lock member (16) to the closed position in which the terminal alignment plate engagement surfaces (50) of the independent secondary lock member (16) do not engage the secondary lock engagement surfaces (70) of the terminal alignment member (14), allowing the terminal alignment member (14) to be moved from the protecting position;moving the terminal alignment member (14) to fully inserted position.
- The method as recited in claim 7, further comprising engaging a projection (52) of the independent secondary lock member (16) which extends through the terminal alignment plate (14) to move the independent secondary lock member (16) from the open position to the closed position.
Applications Claiming Priority (3)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
US201762527615P | 2017-06-30 | 2017-06-30 | |
US15/983,710 US10312626B2 (en) | 2017-06-30 | 2018-05-18 | Electrical connector with terminal alignment plate and secondary lock detection |
PCT/IB2018/054584 WO2019003063A1 (en) | 2017-06-30 | 2018-06-21 | Electrical connector with terminal alignment plate and secondary lock detection |
Publications (3)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
---|---|
EP3646412A1 EP3646412A1 (en) | 2020-05-06 |
EP3646412B1 true EP3646412B1 (en) | 2022-03-09 |
EP3646412B8 EP3646412B8 (en) | 2022-05-04 |
Family
ID=64739201
Family Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
EP18746294.0A Active EP3646412B8 (en) | 2017-06-30 | 2018-06-21 | Electrical connector with terminal alignment plate and secondary lock detection, and method of mating |
Country Status (4)
Country | Link |
---|---|
US (1) | US10312626B2 (en) |
EP (1) | EP3646412B8 (en) |
CN (1) | CN110832708B (en) |
WO (1) | WO2019003063A1 (en) |
Families Citing this family (7)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
EP3799222A1 (en) * | 2019-09-24 | 2021-03-31 | Aptiv Technologies Limited | Male plug, pin cover, system and method for providing a male plug of a system |
US11271347B2 (en) * | 2020-07-21 | 2022-03-08 | TE Connectivity Services Gmbh | Electrical connector with terminal alignment and protection plate |
JP7219250B2 (en) * | 2020-07-27 | 2023-02-07 | 矢崎総業株式会社 | connector |
US11264759B1 (en) * | 2020-08-17 | 2022-03-01 | Aptiv Technologies Limited | Connector with integrated primary lock reinforcement and terminal position assurance |
US11437759B2 (en) * | 2020-12-18 | 2022-09-06 | TE Connectivity Services Gmbh | Coaxial connector assembly with alignment member |
US11381026B1 (en) * | 2020-12-29 | 2022-07-05 | Lear Corporation | Electrical connector protector plate with terminal position assurance |
CN218648174U (en) * | 2022-10-14 | 2023-03-17 | 泰科电子(苏州)有限公司 | Connector with a locking member |
Family Cites Families (16)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
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JP2503320B2 (en) * | 1991-04-04 | 1996-06-05 | 矢崎総業株式会社 | Connector with dual locking mechanism |
US5558526A (en) | 1994-03-29 | 1996-09-24 | The Whitaker Corporation | Connector with a contact-aligning device |
JPH07282903A (en) * | 1994-04-13 | 1995-10-27 | Amp Japan Ltd | Connector with contact arranging member |
US5782657A (en) * | 1995-04-13 | 1998-07-21 | The Whitaker Corporation | Electrical connector with secondary lock |
JP3693149B2 (en) * | 1999-01-11 | 2005-09-07 | 住友電装株式会社 | connector |
US6305990B1 (en) | 2000-05-08 | 2001-10-23 | Tyco Electronics Corp | Sealed electrical connector with secondary locking |
US6896531B2 (en) * | 2001-02-27 | 2005-05-24 | Delphi Technologies, Inc. | Electrical connector assembly |
US6866552B2 (en) | 2003-02-21 | 2005-03-15 | Molex Incorporated | Electrical connector with a terminal pin alignment plate |
JP4730237B2 (en) * | 2006-07-20 | 2011-07-20 | 住友電装株式会社 | connector |
KR100858755B1 (en) * | 2006-11-20 | 2008-09-16 | 에프씨아이 커넥터즈 싱가포르 피티이 엘티디. | Electrical connector and connector assembly |
US7544072B2 (en) | 2007-10-29 | 2009-06-09 | Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P. | Retractable protection apparatus for electronic device pins |
WO2011010224A2 (en) * | 2009-07-20 | 2011-01-27 | Fci | Electrical connector having shorting bar operation device |
JP5370260B2 (en) | 2010-05-13 | 2013-12-18 | 住友電装株式会社 | Board connector |
JP2012018877A (en) * | 2010-07-09 | 2012-01-26 | Yazaki Corp | Lever-type connector |
JP6105263B2 (en) * | 2012-11-29 | 2017-03-29 | 矢崎総業株式会社 | connector |
US9153894B2 (en) * | 2013-11-11 | 2015-10-06 | Yazaki North America, Inc. | Terminal position assurance with dual primary lock reinforcement and independent secondary lock |
-
2018
- 2018-05-18 US US15/983,710 patent/US10312626B2/en active Active
- 2018-06-21 CN CN201880042986.5A patent/CN110832708B/en active Active
- 2018-06-21 WO PCT/IB2018/054584 patent/WO2019003063A1/en unknown
- 2018-06-21 EP EP18746294.0A patent/EP3646412B8/en active Active
Also Published As
Publication number | Publication date |
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US10312626B2 (en) | 2019-06-04 |
CN110832708A (en) | 2020-02-21 |
US20190006782A1 (en) | 2019-01-03 |
WO2019003063A1 (en) | 2019-01-03 |
EP3646412A1 (en) | 2020-05-06 |
CN110832708B (en) | 2021-04-13 |
EP3646412B8 (en) | 2022-05-04 |
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